He had just meant to stop her from saying something they’d both regret. It had seemed like the fastest way, and now it seemed like the best way. He pulled her close, tasting her lips, breathing in her scent. Either he had gone mad, or the bracelet was doing something to his judgement, but now that he had started, he didn’t want to stop. He curled his hand into her soft locks, his other resting against the small of her back.
She wanted it as much as he did in that instant, he knew it. He could feel the hunger in her as she gripped his shirt, the passion that burned just beneath the surface.
Then conflict, an edge of panic flashing through their connection too quickly for him to register it before her knee was driving up between his legs. The impact left stars dancing before his eyes, and agony spreading through his loins. He released Dani and let out a groan, doubling over in pain. “Why?” He forced out, his voice strained.
Dani stared at him, her face flushed and eyes wide. She reached a trembling hand up to touch her lips, staring at him. “I- I have to go!” He could feel the turmoil in her, the race of her heart, the desire and fear that churned in her like a storm.
He couldn’t let her go, not in this condition. She’d hurt herself! Or at the very least spark questions he wasn’t sure he could answer. “Wait, Dani it’s alright!” He reached out a hand to her, hating that she flinched back. “I’m sorry.”
What had he done to make her scared now? He felt a flash of frustration as he forced himself to stand upright, pushing aside the pain as best he could. And gods knew it wasn’t easy.... He kept his hand out, hoping she would take it, hoping that fear would disappear and they could enjoy another kiss.
“Why did you do that?” She demanded, her voice shaking.
He gave her a pained look. What did it matter why he had done it? They had both been enjoying it! Unless he had been reading the feelings coming from the bracelet wrong? Had she not been enjoying it after all? “Are you saying you didn’t enjoy it?”
“I-I’m not saying that!” If possible her cheeks got even more red. She was so flustered, it was adorable. Not quite willing to admit that she liked it, but not denying it either. He would count that as a win for right now.
Wulfram reached forward and took her hand. Gently, ever so gently now, she was in the type of mood where she might run off at any moment, and he couldn’t have that. He didn’t want her to run, he wanted her to stay. “Dani, it’s alright. What does it matter why when we both enjoyed it?”
What was he saying? He couldn’t be with this woman! He barely knew her, and she was a commoner. He could only imagine what people like Lord Roderick would do, how they would treat her if they knew.
He didn’t care what they thought.
The realization shocked him. He didn’t care. He just cared about touching her again, claiming her as his own. Showing her wonders she never would have dreamed of in the Tangle, keeping her safe. Maybe this was the way to get her to stay here. “Let me show you to a guest room.”
He moved just a little bit closer, gently tracing his fingers along her cheek. Such a brave mouse she was, but there was vulnerability there too, he didn’t want her to be afraid. He didn’t want her to feel like she had to put up a brave front with him.
“Ya have a hard time taking no for an answer.” Dani said quietly.
“I want you to be safe. Is that such a bad thing? You could be safe here Dani, comfortable. You wouldn’t have to sleep on rooftops or in crypts anymore. And we could enjoy being together.”
“Until you come to yer senses about bein’ with a commoner. No thank you.” There was a grim resolve in her voice, and she straightened, looking him in the eyes. “I ain’t stayin’ here. If you can’t respect that decision I don’t even want ta be yer friend.”
It was his turn to flinch, the jab hurting almost as much knee to the groin had. “Can you honestly tell me you’re safe wherever it is you’re staying? If you can promise me that I’ll respect your decision. But you have to tell me you’re honestly safe, and not sleeping out on the rooftops or down in the crypts.”
“I’m safe where I’m staying.” She smiled, just a little. “I’ll even show you. I think your mage has enough information to be goin’ on with.”
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The smile warmed his heart, and he made a note to talk with the Archmage before he left about whether the bracelet could really effect emotions and judgement. “I would like that.”
“You say that now, but we’re gonna have to scruff you up a bit.” She looked him up and down as if she were cataloging his clothes and didn’t quite like what she saw. He looked down at himself, an eyebrow raising. Certainly he wasn’t wearing the finest clothes, but the fabric and construction was of excellent quality. He had even submitted to the designers insistence on gold plated buckles and buttons. It was a small touch, but he was the prince after all. He had to show his rank somehow when he wasn’t wearing his crown.
“What do you mean scruff me up a bit?” He gave his vest a little tug.
“You look too rich. I’d give you half an hour in the Rats Nest before you got mugged, if that. Don’t you have something ya wear to shovel out horse manure or something?” She smirked, and crossed her arms.
He nearly sighed, relief flooding through him at the return of her humor. All was not lost then, but it didn’t seem like things were going to go anywhere... intimate tonight. Maybe he’d be able to sneak another kiss in later. “A prince does not shovel horse manure. But I do have some training clothes that might suffice. I suppose you’re going to want to leave the carriage behind as well, aren’t you?”
“It wouldn’t make it through the Rats Nest anyways. You think those streets were made for horses?” She snorted as she started to the door. “A goat could get up them, but not a horse.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.” He took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. She was putting up a brave front again, but that was alright. He could be patient. She was going to drive him crazy, but he could be patient. With another tug at his vest, and an adjustment here and there, he started after her. With any luck the Archmage and his assistant would be nowhere to be found. He didn’t want to deal with the inevitable questions they would have.
How was he going to deal with the rumors that would likely spread? As the heat in him cooled down, he began to worry about what the other nobles would think. It had seemed such a foolish concern in the moment, trivial and unimportant. But if enough nobles raised a stink about it, it could cost him the crown. He looked at Dani, thinking of throwing it away for another kiss, or even a single night with her in his arms.
When had he lost his mind?
“Do you even know where you’re going?” He asked, as much to stave off the growing anxiety at his actions as it was a serious question.
“Nope.” She said blithely, and continued down the stairs. “I figure we keep going down until we find the hallway again, and then you can take the lead.”
“Shouldn’t I be leading now?” Wulfram’s lips twitched upwards, her absurdity a good cure for anxiety. Surely a little bit of fun wouldn’t hurt anyone. He just needed to keep in mind that it wouldn’t be able to last, and they’d both be fine.
“Why? The stairs only go two ways. Up, or down, and I suspect ya don’t live in the tower with the mage. Do you?” She looked back up at him, an eyebrow raising.
“No, I live in the main palace, my family has a whole wing to ourselves and our honored guests. It’s where your room will be, should you ever choose to claim it.” Wulfram smiled as he caught up to her, walking side by side now. He smiled innocently in the face of her glare. “I am not pressuring you, merely saying the offer is open should you choose to accept it.”
“Is your entire family this stubborn, or is it just you?”
“Oh the entire family, surely. We are the royal family after all, a certain level of stubbornness is required when dealing with politics. What might your excuse be?”
Dani laughed, a bit more of that turmoil in her settling down. Joke by joke, touch by gentle touch, he would get through to her. That was the way to do it.
Do what you fool? He asked himself silently. You can’t keep her.
“I’ll show you to your room, you don’t have to stay, I’m merely going to keep it available for you. It will give you someplace to rest while I change is all. Unless you want to just wander the palace and get roped into talking to some noble or other?” He hoped she wouldn’t choose to do that, he could only imagine her running into Lady Orlaith, or Lord Roderick, or even his parents! He had faith that his parents wouldn’t be too bad, but the others could be cruel.
Dani rolled her eyes and followed him into the wide hallway that led back into the main building. “I could just wait outside your room you know.”
“You could, but that would draw attention as well. At least look at the room you’re so adamant against. It’s very close to mine, and it simply makes sense for you to be comfortable while you wait.”
“Do you really think it’ll take you that long to change?” She asked.
“I have to make sure I look suitably scruffy.” Wulfram grinned, turning down a corridor open on both sides to the sun and gardens. “Will you please humor me, just this once? I promise I will drop the subject if you insist after you see it.”
“I got your word on that? You’ll stop nagging me about moving into the palace?”
“I give you my word.” He rested a hand against his heart, bowing slightly. A warmth spread through the bracelet, and he felt the faintest of pinches. He grimaced, and let out a sigh as the oath settled in. “See?”
Dani let out a startled squeak, looking down at the bracelet. “The hell was that?”
“I gave you my word, the bracelet will ensure I keep it. I suppose it doesn’t trust me to keep my word on it either.” He smiled ruefully. He supposed he couldn’t blame it, he still wanted her to stay in the palace where she would be safe. But she was a grown woman, and he’d see where she was staying today. If it was a bad place, he’d have someone else work on getting her somewhere safe. If not the palace, perhaps an inn. Yes, one of the nicer ones in the city. She wouldn’t even have to stay too far from her work, since she insisted on working still.